Princeton promotes Cook to replace Hall of Famer Sailer

PRINCETON » Jenn Cook likes to say that it only takes one person to change your trajectory.

That person for her was legendary Princeton University women’s lacrosse coach Chris Sailer.

Now Cook is stepping into those Hall of Fame shoes as the program’s new head coach. Athletic director John Mack announced her promotion from associate head coach at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

“A lot of my friends in the lacrosse world were like ‘those are big shoes to fill,’ and I couldn’t agree more,” Cook said. “What Chris has taught me is I have to coach in my own shoes and lead authentically. Chris has always led authentically in her coaching style and I’m going to do the same. Those are big shoes, but I think the traditions she has brought here and the tradition of winning is incredibly important, and those are things I’m going to continue to believe in and do.”

Cook has been on the Princeton staff for 10 years, including the last five as the associate head coach, and succeeds Sailer who retired after a 36-year run on the sideline. Cook is the fourth head coach in program history, following Penny Hinckley (1973-77), Betty Logan (1978-86) and Sailer (1987-2022).

“(Jenn) has made me a better coach in so many ways, and I am so grateful for her friendship, her loyalty and her commitment to our program and players,” Sailer said. “During her time with the Tigers, Jenn has helped build and transform our team culture along these themes that we affectionately refer to as ‘Jennisms’: are the work we do; honesty is love; greatness is a constant ascension; and fail at 100%.”

Sailer announced in November this would be her last season, and Mack said a national search was conducted, but Cook, the in-house candidate, was the clear choice. “She says all the things you want a Princeton coach to say and then she doesn’t just say them, she believes them,” Mack said. “That comes across so genuinely and so effortlessly. You just can’t help but be impressed.”

In Cook’s 10 years on staff, the Tigers are 111-44 and have won 10 or more games in all eight full seasons contested. They went 15-4 this season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In 2019, Cook was named the IWLCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year. Prior to Princeton, she spent four seasons as an assistant at her alma mater North Carolina where she was twice a Tewaaraton nominee as a player.

“We had a Zoom (with the players) earlier today and it was great to see their reaction,” Cook said. “They all kind of knew the my interview was happening last week and they were like ‘we love you, we support you and we are behind you 100%.’ To see their reaction when John made that announcement, you can’t help but feel motivated and feel that support and love for this place and that belief in me.”